Ground Force Water Garden Workbook [Paperback]

Charlie Dimmock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001 | Series: Ground Force

Adding interest and variety to the average city or suburban garden can be a difficult challenge, especially if you haven't had a great deal of experience. Water features look fantastic and add a whole new dimension to even the smallest of gardens, but constructing them can seem rather daunting. In Water Garden Workbook, top gardening expert Charlie Dimmock comes to the rescue and shows how to create a whole variety of different watery effects that won't stretch your budget or talents.

Divided into easy-to-follow sections, the book contains:
-- Getting Going: the right water feature for you, basic equipment, budget help
-- The Projects: different choices, step-by-step illustrations and handy hints
-- Charlie's Notebook: best plants
-- Fish and Wildlife: attract a wide range of wildlife
-- Pond problems: potential problems and how to solve them.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

What is Ground Force? It is, by far, one of BBC America’s most popular television shows. In this entertaining gardening series, the Ground Force team leads a grueling, often hilarious, tour–de–force campaign of garden re–creations. For more than six years, Ground Force has sprung into action, transforming people’s gardens while their backs are turned. With just $1,000 and 48 hours, derelict plots become beautifully designed oases. Now the Ground Force team is working its magic in the U.S., with the first episodes appearing on BBC America this summer.

Who is Ground Force? Alan Titschmarsh—twice named Gardener of the Year and author of more than 30 books—is one of BBC TV’s best–known gardening authorities; horticulturist Charlie Dimmock is also the star of the gardening slot on CBS’s The Early Show; and Tommy Walsh is the landscaping expert and co–presenter of Ground Force. But you don’t have to wait for the Ground Force team to come knocking at your door. You can make the transformation yourself. To create the perfect garden, you don’t need to be a horticulturist. The real secret is careful planning and a little imagination, as these books expertly reveal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: BBC Worldwide Publishing (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0563551135
• ISBN-13: 978-0563551133
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Photos and help from gardens seen on the show, July 8, 2002

By 

billandcori (Westford, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ground Force Water Garden Workbook (Paperback)

Out of all the Ground Force books, we used this one the most. It helped us put in a pond in our yard complete with a vase that bubbled water over and went down a chute to the pond. The book covers many different water features including a raised tank water garden, one with waterfalls, small ones like just a vase that bubbles over, and many others. The photos are very helpful and even more enjoyable if you get to see the episode on the BBC show that the water features were on.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have, July 16, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ground Force Water Garden Workbook (Paperback)

Charlie Dimmock is great. She has wonderful ideas and plans for the watergardens. I think if someone wants a lovely water feature in there yard this is the book to have....=o)

5.0 out of 5 stars Idiot-proof water gardening, October 9, 2002

By 

Shari (WHITTIER, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ground Force Water Garden Workbook (Paperback)

Admittedly, I am somewhat biased toward this author as I enjoy "Ground Force" more than any other home improvement show and have converted several friends from HGTV over to BBC America.

The plans and designs are honest. They clearly outline how much time it will take, the safety aspect and estimated costs (In british currency). I have noticed that her costs seem a bit low, but it may be the geographic differences. Mostly, I use this on a relativity scale. (This pond is more difficult/costly than that one)

She shows wisdom and experience in her discussion of the use of native plants and introduction of wildlife. Unfortunately, there is a bit of difference between Los Angeles and London native plants, but if you apply the general idea, you can't go wrong.

The practical ideas, like: "Don't put a fountain in a windy area" or "How to hide the pipes in a wall mounted fountain" are essential things to think about once you have it your head that you must have a water element in your yard.

My husband owns a landscape design company and he frequently uses her book to narrow down a client's broad vision. A great garden library addition for a professional or an amatuer!!